When Paul spoke of Jesus’ “holiness” (Romans 1:4), he was not referring to the Holy Spirit or sanctification, but to the holy character of God. Christ did not achieve holiness; He was already holy at incarnation. (See Luke 1:35) His passion was to be obedient to His Father and to manifest the love of God to all humanity.

While it is often thought of as separation from the world, holiness actually has four components: separation, participation, purity, and passion. To be holy requires all four.

Imagine two different lines of action: one, vertical (toward God); the other, horizontal (toward man). At the top of the vertical line is separation unto God; at the bottom of this line is participation with God. The horizontal line is ministry, with purity on the left side and passion on the right. Laying the horizontal line over the vertical, we have a cross that defines God’s holiness.

An ideal illustration of holiness was Mary, the mother of Jesus. God clearly established the line of separation for Mary by revealing her purity, His passion, and her participation. Her obedience and purity allowed her to be blessed by God. She accepted the call of God and separated herself from the world unto His passion, participating in the hope for the salvation of Israel.

The revelation of Christ is His incarnation, holiness, passion, and participation in His mission. It is an invitation to you and me. When we willingly separate ourselves from sin unto Christ, we are declared “pure” by His blood. He can then show us what He wants us to do. Passion is the driving force that carries us beyond ourselves as we participate in His work.

Christianity is God’s gift of grace to humanity. This relationship is possible because of the holiness of God. As the apostle John wrote: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched--this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.” (1 John 1:1-3)

Pastor Odom’s message can be heard each Sunday on Radio KAML, AM 990, at 8:30 a.m. Please join us for Sunday School at 9:45 a.m., Worship at 11 a.m., and Sunday and Wednesday Evening Services at 7 p.m.